Doesn't it also contradict his own decision? Below that quote he also says:

compromises that preserved cohesion were tantamount to "deciding to lose"

Forcing RTO is maintaining the status quo, which itself is a compromise you make to not do anything about the changes that happen as time goes on. He is literally making a compromise to preserve cohesion. But I guess in his mind him making compromises with himself don't count, the only compromise that matters is the one he has to make with others.